Scholars for Sodiqov Petition

We, the undersigned scholars and concerned citizens are deeply concerned about the fate of Alexander Sodiqov, a researcher at the University of Exeter and a PhD student at the University of Toronto.

Sodiqov was detained by security officials on 16 June 2014 in Khorog, Tajikistan.[1] He was visiting under a research contract with the University of Exeter (UK) to help with a scholarly project, when he was approached in the middle of an interview with a local civil society representative and taken into custody. He has apparently not had contact with lawyers, his colleagues, or his family.

Married and with a young daughter, Sodiqov is a member of a new generation of scholars. These are people committed to highest-quality scholarship and to good and productive relations between Tajikistan and the rest of the world.

We are deeply concerned about the safety of Mr. Sodiqov and his family and strongly encourage the authorities in Tajikistan to ensure the full protection of Mr. Sodiqov's and his family’s rights.